BIM in Sustainable Design: Strategies for Retrofitting/Renovation

Abstract

Improving the performance of existing buildings has provided a broad market for the green renovation of US building stock which is estimated at 76 billion square feet. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has had tremendous impact on the building industry by increasing productivity and document accuracy alone. The integrative nature of BIM technology renders it an ideal tool for implementing sustainable strategies into the renovation and/or retrofit of existing structures.By exploring the nature of the relationship of BIM and sustainability, as it applies to the built environment, the intent of this research is to determine what functions of BIM could be utilized to implement sustainable design principles into the retrofit and/or renovation of existing structures. The study sought to establish a sustainable framework for an evaluation and a set of "Best Practices" for the retrofit and renovation of projects seeking sustainable status.To provide a baseline in determining possible "best practices" a professional survey was conducted, within the state of Florida, along with an analysis of a local existing structure. The survey focused on determining to what extent professionals utilize BIM to implement sustainable design principles in retrofitting/renovation and how BIM and sustainability impacted their practice. The case study investigated the process for conducting a total renovation with a goal of utilizing BIM in as many areas as possible to provide a sustainable outcome. To comply with current LEED rating systems an evaluation was made to determine what level the alterations would achieve under the category of LEED 2009 NC.Although the LEED rating determination and level of sustainability depends entirely on the scope and nature of the renovation; results of this research show that BIM can be an effective tool in implementing sustainable design principles into the renovation and/or retrofit of existing buildings despite the scope of the renovation.

Understanding the Relation between BIM Application Behavior and Sustainable Construction: A Case Study in China

“…By applying BIM technology, users can make precise decisions and promote the process of construction" [3]. Similarly, as an innovative digital tool, BIM is widely applied in the life cycle of a project for visualization, scheduling, communication, and teamwork among project construction, as well as to promote the process of forming, accumulating, controlling, transforming, and delivering construction data in an effective manner [4]. BIM can generate a computer-based three-dimensional model to visualize the whole life-cycle process of construction involving the phase of planning, design, construction, and operation [5].…”

Enhancing environmental sustainability over building life cycles through green BIM: A review

“…However, without detailed prediction and planning for the types and volumes of recycled building materials, it can be time-consuming and expensive for contractors and recyclers to conduct a material recycling process [32]. If a building is • Wu and Issa [110] • Zhai and McNeill [117] • Hammond et al [50] • Frank et al [43] • • Jalaei and Jrade [55] • Wu et al [111] • Zuo and Zhao [118] • Wong and Kuan [104] • Inyim et al [54] • Volk et al [101] • • • Lin and Gerber [71] • Katranuschkov et al [58] • Kandil et al [119] • Gandhi and Jupp [44] • Russell-Smith and Lepech [90] • • • • • Wong et al [106] • Eadie et al [40] • Costa et al [36] • Cooley and Cholakis [120] • Costin et al [37] • Clevenger and Khan [34] • Cheng and Ma [32] • Chi et al [33] • • • Wong and Lau [105] • Yeheyis et al [113] • • Wong and Fan [107] • Buyle et al [27] • König et al [61] • Jrade and Jalaei [57] • Motawa and Almarshad [79] • Motawa and Carter [80] • • • • • • Liao et al [70] • Wu and Issa [108] • Rajendran et al [89] • Rajendran and Gomez [88] • • Cheng and Ma [31] • Jiang et al [56] • Bynum et al [28] • • Azhar et al [15] • Chang et al …”

“…Through the use of three-dimensional virtual modelling, the sun path of the studied region was simulated to evaluate the amount of rooftop area that would not be affected by the shadows cast from the adjacent buildings. Hammond et al [50] established the 'Sustainable Framework' and 'Best Practices' for green retrofitting. Their research findings suggested that BIM integration helps to implement sustainable design principles into the renovation or retrofitting of existing buildings.…”

“…In the building repair and maintenance phase, retrofitting existing buildings can help to promote conservation of natural resources and significantly cut a building's energy consumption, leading to a safer and cleaner living environment [50]. With the increasing concern for enhancing the energy efficiency of existing buildings during their operational lives, building managers are seeking ways to improve the sustainability of their structures.…”

Towards a Parsimonious Information Management for Energy Retrofitting of Buildings

“…It differs from our work in the fact that it deals with prefabricated elements for the improvements of building characteristics. Hammond et al (2014) studied how professionals use BIM in retrofitting and renovation and how it affects their practice. They investigated a renovation process that had the goal of utilizing BIM "in as many areas as possible" with a view to comply with LEED rating system.…”